Tour of Italy

May 11

The Giro d’Italia (“Tour of Italy”), along with the Tour de France and La Welta a Espana, is one of the Grand Tour of cycling. This is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy, while also occasionally passing through nearby countries. Popularly known as the Giro, the first race was organized in 1909 and it has been held every year since except during the two World Wars.

The Giro is usually held during late May and early June, and in 2019 the 102nd edition will start in Bologna, beginning on Saturday, May 11th. Like other Grand Tours, the modern editions of the Giro normally consists of 21 day-long stages over a 23-day period that includes 2 rest days. Stages are usually timed to the finish, and then the riders’ times are compounded and the shortest aggregate time is the leader and gets to don the coveted Pink Jersey.